National Library Week 18 to 25 March 2017

All libraries will have programmes and activities to celebrate and the period coincides with Fine-Free Week.

During National Library Week, City libraries are hosting various special programmes for all ages, including storytelling, arts and crafts, membership drives, and poetry sessions.

‘This year’s theme, My library, Your library, seeks to reinforce libraries as being the heart of the community and encourage residents to take ownership of these vital facilities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

All of the libraries will have programmes during the week and communities are encouraged to visit their libraries. A full list of programmes can be viewed on the City’s website

‘The City’s libraries have become more than just buildings where we store books. They are places of knowledge and information, social interaction and relaxation. Libraries are communal spaces where residents can meet, learn and interact. Our dedicated librarians are proud to be a part of a week that celebrates these spaces,’ said Alderman Smith.

In celebration of National Library Week, librarians will take to the streets in a fun road march which will start and end at the Central Library in Darling Street on Friday 17 March at 10:00.

The march will include the mobile bus, and library staff will hand out library maps and promotional material.

The Western Cape Provincial Library Services’ official launch of this highlight on the library calendar will take place at the Melton Rose Library on 20 March from 11:00 when this library will also receive a donation of books from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport that will be given to a neighbouring school.

‘I will attend the launch and encourage the community to reflect on the role and value of libraries as portals to education, health and economic upliftment,’ said Alderman Smith.

From 22 to 25 March 2017, libraries in the south will host the Blown Away by Books Festival.

Now in its third year, the festival is hosted by Fish Hoek, Masiphumelele, Kommetjie, Simon’s Town and Ocean View libraries, and aims to showcase world-class local authors, pay tribute to the art of writing, and promote reading. This year’s line-up of more than 20 authors includes Mike Nicol, Sally Andrews, Mark Winkler, Sindiwe Magona, Xolisa Tshongolo, Pippa Green, and Marianne Thamm. The full line-up and details can be found here or residents can email fishhoek.library@capetown.gov.za for more details.

Some of the other National Library Week events include storytelling, safety talks, and presentations by the City’s Health Department and will take place at the Woodstock Town Hall Park, the Eerste River Library Hall, Nantes Park in Bridgetown and the Ottery Sport and Recreation Centre.

National Library Week coincides with Fine-Free Week during which patrons who return overdue library materials will be exempt from a fine.

Residents are reminded that while no fines will be charged, previous fines will not be written off during this week. This means that currently overdue items that are returned will not incur a fine. However, if a fine has already been accrued, patrons will still be liable to pay the fine.

Some interesting facts about the City of Cape Town’s libraries (figures July 2015 to June 2016):

•The City has 102 libraries and currently operates a satellite library in Pelican Park, as well as a mobile service consisting of three buses

•There are 1 075 984 registered members on the library system of which 349 953 actively used City libraries in 2015/16

•74 331 new members joined in 2015/16

•11 545 461 visits to City libraries were recorded

•4 608 431 items (books, CDs and DVDs) are available at libraries in addition to electronic resources, e.g. World Book Online and Britannica Online

•10 135 652 items were circulated at libraries during this period. Brackenfell Library circulated the most items at 598 931

•20 809 community programmes and events were held at libraries and attended by 92 014 people (an average of 18 people per programme)